Today Is National Tap Dance Day!

When was the bill passed?

On November 7, 1989 the bill was signed into law by President George Herbert Bush

Who was involved?

Nicola Daval, Carol Vaughn and Linda Christensen of the Tap America Project (TAP) were all very active in the promotion of the U.S. Joint Resolution declaring May 25th National Tap Dance Day that was introduced and overseen by Congressman John Conyers and Senator Alfonse D’Amato.

Gregory Hines, Harold Nicholas, Savion Glover, Sandman Sims and many other tap dancers and supporters were present when Congressman Conyers announced the bill into affect.

Why May 25th?

May 25th is the anniversary of Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson’s birthday.

Who is Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson?

Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson (May 25, 1878 – November 25, 1949) is best known for his appearances as an American tap dancer on the stage and in film. Many recognize him for his dancing with child star Shirley Temple during 1930s. Tap dancers recognize his steps and dancing style as a tap dancer who was always on the balls of his feet.

“Robinson gained his nickname because of his reputation as a “jangler” and is immortalized in the song “Mr. Bojangles.” He arrived in New York in 1898 and, within ten years, was a vaudeville soloist and star, billed as Dark Cloud of Joy. His Stair Dance was perfected in the early 1920s, but Robinson’s number became classic as performed with Shirley Temple in The Little Colonel (1935), one of fourteen movies. The first of six Broadway shows was Blackbirds of 1928. Robinson reached an entirely new audience with Michael Todd’s Swing Mikado, when the production moved from the Great White Way to New York’s 1939 World’s Fair. The first black soloist to star on white vaudeville circuits, he was a headliner for forty years, known for strict tempos and smooth shifts executed on his toes. Robinson coined the word “copasetic,” to signify “all is fine.” Formed in 1949, the black dance fraternity became the Copasetics in his honor.” — Dance Heritage Coalition

Register for a tap festival [Jersey Tap Fest (NJ), LA Tap Fest (CA), Rhythm World (IL), Motor City Tap Fest (MI), Tap City (NY), St. Louis Tap Festival (MO), Tap Into A Cure (Canada)… and many more!] Visit the listing of summer festivals on Dance Advantage and check out www.tapdance.org for more tap festivals taking place internationally

Thanks to Hillary-Marie for her contribution to Dance Advantage on this special day! Be sure to check out the Jersey Tap Fest website and stay updated via their page on Facebook. Register TODAY (5/25/10) and get a 10% discount on packages.

A Native of New Jersey, HILLARY-MARIE is best known throughout the Tri-State area as a tap soloist, performer, choreographer and teacher who specializes in the American art form of rhythm tap dance. She established an entrepreneurial stance at a young age by managing local musicians in the tri-state area under Fireshot Promotions and is now the Founder and Director of Jersey Tap Fest, an annually fantastic New Jersey tap dance even that will educate and serve diverse students with great passion for tap dance. As a reputable tap dance instructor, Hillary teaches weekly tap dance classes across the state of New Jersey. In addition to the dance, look forward to seeing her featured in the Crystal Glass Cosmetics catalog.

Tell us how you are celebrating National Tap Dance Day in the comments!

Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world.

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Nichelle is the owner and editor of Dance Advantage. Struck by the potential the Internet held for creating community among dancers online, she founded Dance Advantage in 2008 to share information, tips, and advice about dance and dance training. Each month, the site reaches thousands of new and returning readers from all over the world. Thank YOU for reading!Learn more about how and why Nichelle launched DA...